The top five richest re-contesting candidates in fray in Karnataka assembly election 2018 have seen their assets increase since the last polls, with the richest MLA witnessing a whopping 234% increase in assets (Rs 588 crore) in the last five years.

The top five richest re-contesting candidates in fray in Karnataka assembly election 2018 have seen their assets increase manifold since the last polls, with the richest MLA witnessing a whopping 234% increase in assets (Rs 588 crore) in the last five years. As per data released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) citing the self-sworn affidavits of candidates furnished before the Election Commission of India, the assets of 184 re-contesting MLAs in the forthcoming Karnataka elections, including by-elections, have increased by Rs 17.31 crore (Rs 17,31,94,277) on an average.As per the ADR data, the top five richest candidates contesting elections this time are from the ruling Congress. These include State Energy Minister DK Shivakumar, N Nagaraju, Shamanur Shivshankarappa, Priyakrishna, Deshpande Raghunath Vishwanath. The five re-contesting candidates in the fray have witnessed a remarkable increase in their assets, up by at least over Rs 100 crore in five years.

– Shamanur Shivshankarappa contesting from Davanagere South has assets of over Rs 183 crores (Rs 1,83,22,67,262), which is almost Rs 115 crores (Rs 1,15,32,88,918) more than 2013. In 2013, Shivshankarappa’s assets was Rs 67 crores (67,89,78,344), suggesting a 170% increase.

– The Congress candidate from Govindaraja Nagar, Priyakrishna, has total assets of over Rs 1,020 crores (Rs 10,20,53,87,250). In 2013, Priyakrishna’s assets was nearly Rs 910 crores (Rs 9,10,98,61,857). The increase of Rs 109 crore corresponds to a 12% increase in five years.

– The assets of Deshpande Raghunath Vishwanath, Congress candidate from Haliyal and the fifth richest candidate in fray this time in Karnataka, has a total assets of over Rs 215 crore (Rs 2,15,15,93,731), up from Rs 113 crore (Rs 1,13,93,46,065) in 2013, corresponding to an 89% increase.

Out of 184 re-contesting MLAs in the upcoming election, 108 candidates are from the ruling Congress, 49 are from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 24 are from Janata Dal (Secular), 2 are Independent candidates and one is from Namma Congress.